Edith Stein - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Edith Stein was raised Jewish, but had completely lost interest and faith in Judaism in her early adolescence . Edith went on to receive her doctorate degree in Philosophy. She noticed several of her friends who displayed a great passion for the Catholic faith, so she began to read the catechism, and eventually she read herself into the faith. Edith was baptized into the Catholic Church in Cologne Germany, and became a Carmelite nun in 1934, taking the name Theresa Benedicta of the Cross. When the Nazi's invaded Germany, Edith along with her sister Rose, who had also converted to the faith, were sent to the concentration camp in Auschwitz, where they both were killed. St. Edith Stein is the patroness of Martyrs. Her feast day is commemorated on August 9th.